‘Michael’ Biopic Is Set to Be the Highest-Grossing Movie of 2026

Musical biopics rarely become genuine box office phenomena, usually settling into respectable but unremarkable runs before fading from theaters within a few weeks. That has never been the trajectory for ‘Michael,’ the Michael Jackson biopic that has spent the past several months quietly rewriting what this genre is capable of earning worldwide.

That momentum has continued far longer than most industry analysts initially expected. Since opening in April, ‘Michael’ has steadily climbed past one milestone after another, defying scathing reviews and a rocky development process to become one of the defining box office stories of the year.

Now the film is on the verge of an even bigger milestone. According to current estimates, ‘Michael’ is closing in on ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ for the title of highest-grossing film of 2026 globally, sitting roughly $1.5 million behind the animated blockbuster’s total. Given the pace of Michael’s international earnings, that gap appears likely to close within the week.

That chase for the top spot comes on the heels of an already historic achievement. Michael crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, becoming the first biopic in history to reach that milestone. The film’s total is being driven largely by overseas audiences, with $629.8 million coming from international markets compared to $371.8 million domestically, with Japan’s deep-rooted Jackson fandom contributing significantly to that overseas total.

Director Antoine Fuqua reflected on what this achievement means for everyone involved in bringing the film to life. Speaking in a statement reported by Variety, Fuqua called reaching the $1 billion milestone a deeply humbling moment that celebrates the tireless dedication of the film’s producers, cast, crew and partners, adding that the achievement belongs to everyone who came together with a shared vision to honor one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.

Overtaking ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ would mark a genuinely unusual box office outcome. Video game adaptations and major animated sequels have dominated the billion-dollar club in recent years, following the pattern set by hits like Ne Zha 2, Inside Out 2, and Zootopia 2, making it especially notable that a live-action musical biopic could out-earn one of these family-friendly global blockbusters.

Michael has already surpassed Oppenheimer’s $975.8 million worldwide total to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, while also passing Bohemian Rhapsody’s $911 million haul to claim the title of highest-grossing music biopic ever made. The film has also pushed past the lifetime global box office total of Disney’s 1994 animated classic The Lion King, adding yet another historic benchmark to its ongoing run.

Part of what makes this run so remarkable is how it has unfolded despite significant controversy surrounding the film’s development and content choices. Michael faced enormous backlash from critics upon release, yet the film’s shiny musical presentation and Jaafar Jackson’s widely praised lead performance as his real-life uncle proved enticing enough to keep audiences returning throughout the summer.

That staying power speaks to something larger than a single successful film. Nearly two decades after his death, Michael Jackson’s continued box office pull suggests his cultural relevance remains as strong as ever, translating directly into ticket sales across dozens of international markets.

With Lionsgate reportedly eyeing a follow-up film to cover the chapters of Jackson’s life this movie leaves out, ‘Michael’ has already reshaped what a musical biopic can achieve commercially. Do you think ‘Michael’ will officially overtake ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ as the year’s top earner? Share your thoughts in the comments.